From stirring films to vibrant cultural performances, the Taraba Human Rights International Film Festival (TAHRIFF) 2025 brought together more than 25,000 participants in Jalingo and online, united by a shared belief in the power of storytelling to spark change.

Held from Sept. 24 to 28 in Jalingo, northern Nigeria, the festival brought together filmmakers, activists, cultural enthusiasts, academics, and human rights advocates from across Africa, Asia, and beyond, under the theme of using film as a tool for justice, unity, and empowerment.

“This festival has been a celebration of creativity, courage, and collaboration,” said Festival Director Moses V. Samuel in his closing remarks. “Cinema is a voice for justice and a mirror of our shared humanity and a bridge between cultures.”

The 2025 edition featured an array of events, including film screenings, workshops, masterclasses, poetry, drama, music, cultural dances, and a grand awards and gala night.

Special highlights included children’s films and live performances by children from the UMCN Orphanage Home, amplifying the voices of young storytellers and underrepresented communities.

TAHRIFF also welcomed high-profile guests, including special assistants to the Taraba State governor and Tuty Dityawanty, Counselor/Minister of Socio-Cultural Affairs from the Indonesian Embassy in Nigeria.

“Events like TAHRIFF remind us that cinema is more than art, it is a voice for the voiceless, a bridge between nations, and a tool for justice and unity,” Dityawanty said at the closing ceremony.

“Together, let us continue to tell stories that unite and inspire hope for a brighter future,” she added.

Key partners such as Movies That Matter, the Asian World Film Festival, SumTV, Bantu Gazette, and the Indonesian Embassy were acknowledged for their roles in supporting TAHRIFF’s mission to elevate voices from Africa and champion human dignity on the global stage.

With screenings and discussions focused on human rights, youth empowerment, gender equity, and cultural preservation, the festival positioned itself as a platform for dialogue and lasting impact.

As the curtain falls on this year’s event, organizers say the work is just beginning.

“The conversations started here, the films we have seen, and the partnerships we have forged will continue to ripple outwards, shaping lives and communities,” Samuel said.

“May the stories continue, and may the change never stop,” he added.

TAHRIFF 2026 is already on the horizon, promising to build on the momentum and continue its mission of storytelling for change.

JALINGO, Nigeria – Bantu Gazette